Animal Control Workers
Machines can already do 21% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 44%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Animal Control Workers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 21% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 44% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 12,070 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $45,660 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 88% for contact with people.
- Also called: ACO (Animal Control Officer), Animal Attendant, Animal Cruelty Investigator, Animal Enforcement Officer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary | 16% | 3% to 25% | |
| Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports | 14% | 3% to 25% | |
| Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals | 11% | 63% to 81% | |
| Supply animals with food, water, and personal care | 9% | 18% to 51% | |
| Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks | 9% | 18% to 51% | |
| Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations | 6% | 36% to 57% | |
| Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment | 5% | 3% to 25% | |
| Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations | 5% | 36% to 57% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills animal control workers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Adapted Physical Education Specialists43% of tasks by 2035 · US median $76,580
- Embalmers39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $58,780
- Correctional Officers and Jailers38% of tasks by 2035 · US median $58,940
- Nannies42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $34,980
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Animal Control Workers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of animal control workers?
Machines can do 21% of the tasks of animal control workers today and 44% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 33-9011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Animal Control Workers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/animal-control-workers/